Manchester Printworks welcomes karaoke, racing sim venue

Spider Box will make its debut at the entertainment complex, signing a 10-year lease for 8,000 sq ft.

Spider Box is the creation of Spider Entertainment, a company that designs, builds, and operates entertainment venues. Projects include the Inverness Castle Experience, Immersive Gamebox, and the Royal Hospital Chelsea’s Soane Stable Yard visitor centre.

Spider Box will offer guests the chance to dabble in karaoke, compete in immersive music quizzes, race their friends using six SIM racing simulators, and enjoy live music. The venue will also sell drinks and a variety of global street food.

Rob Hetherington, chief executive of Spider Entertainment, said he was “thrilled” that Spider Box would be opening in Manchester in September.

“We have considered multiple locations across the UK for our first Spider Box venue, and we are delighted to be opening the first in Manchester, a city rich with music, culture and entertainment,” Hetherington said.

“We believe we have an immersive entertainment offering like no other, and guests can expect an unforgettable day or night with each visit.”

The letting follows DTZ Investors’ £27m refurbishment programme at the Printworks. Work included installing a 10,000 sq ft digital ceiling, upgrading the Vue cinema facilities, and improving the façade. At the time of the refurbishment announcement in 2022, DTZ said “gamification is at the forefront of Printworks’ vision,” a comment that rings true with Spider Box’s letting.

“The choice of Printworks for Spider Box’s debut site is a further endorsement of the scheme’s leading reputation within the UK leisure industry,” said Ben Haller, director at DTZ.

“This follows our transformative digital refurbishment which now offers an unrivalled immersive environment for operators and consumers alike,” Haller continued.

“We welcome Spider Box, who build on Printwork’s already strong mix of tenants who collectively offer an unmatched scale and range of uses within a single entertainment venue.”

DTZ was represented by Metis Real Estate Advisors and Stärka on the deal with Spider Entertainment. Spider Entertainment was unrepresented.